Investigation Glossary

Plain-English terms used in private investigation, case intake, surveillance, due diligence, and evidence-focused work.

Private Investigator

A professional hired to gather information, document facts, and support private or civil matters.

The first review of a potential matter before an investigation is accepted.

Lawful observation used to document behavior, movement, or relevant activity.

A structured review of available records, identifiers, history, and reputation indicators.

Research used before an important decision to better understand risk and credibility.

Work focused on finding a person, address, witness, debtor, or other subject.

A locate process for someone who has moved, stopped responding, or cannot be found.

Research intended to identify property, companies, filings, liens, and financial interests.

A review of facts and records that may show deception or improper conduct.

Information that may help prove or disprove a claim.

The record of how evidence was collected, handled, stored, and transferred.

Research using publicly available sources and accessible records.

Investigation work performed in person, away from a desk.

A written summary of investigative work, observations, records, and findings.

The duty to handle client information and case details discreetly.

Review surveillance, due diligence, locate work, fraud, corporate, domestic, and OSINT services.

Discreet observation and activity checks for personal, civil, business, and insurance questions.

Research people, companies, addresses, claims, and business concerns before decisions are made.

Find address, contact, witness, debtor, former partner, or missing person indicators in Portugal.

See the main cities and regions where field work, research, and verification may be available.

Learn how intake, scoping, field work, documentation, and next steps are handled.